Chapter 10

    When Uncle Wang came to their house on the edge of the village, and especially with all the workers starting repairs, it was certain that people would have questions when he returned to the village. In a small village like this, any bit of news spread quickly, especially when it might reach her husband’s biased grandmother.

    "Uncle Wang," Zhao Ying began, "I’d also like to have a well built inside the courtyard. With a sick person and a young child in the house, having a well nearby would make things a lot more convenient.”

    Uncle Wang looked at her in surprise, taking a longer look at her. She was still the same round-faced, chubby Zhao Yingying, with her small eyes half-hidden by her cheeks, but there was something different. Her manner of speaking and thinking had changed, as if this was a completely different Zhao Yingying.

    Zhao Ying met his gaze head-on, allowing him to take in her sincerity. After all, her outward appearance was still that of the old Zhao Yingying, but her personality had changed. It was only natural for those around her to need time to adjust.

    "I know that I’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past,” she continued calmly, “but after facing life and death, I finally realized just how much Xiao Bao means to me. For his sake, I need to change myself and become a better mother."

    Her words carried genuine emotion, her eyes growing red with a sense of guilt she couldn’t ignore. Zhao Ying knew that the regret she felt came from the heart of this body’s original owner, and the remorse in her expression now was entirely genuine.

    Uncle Wang believed her sincerity, as did Father Lu and Mother Zhang, who were now convinced that she truly intended to turn over a new leaf.

    "All right, all right, no need to talk about past mistakes anymore,” Uncle Wang said, breaking the tension. “The fact that you’re changing is good for both Xiao Bao and for you.”

    Then he added, "As for the well, if you’d like one with a brick lining and a pulley, it would cost around ten taels of silver. For a simple well, about eight taels should be enough. But it would be best to have Tang Xian come and check the area first.”

    "Let’s go with the best option,” Zhao Ying replied, nodding firmly.

    Father Lu looked as if he was about to say something, but Zhao Ying spoke first. 

     “No need to worry about the money, Father. We can always make more,” she said, giving Madam Zhang a quick wink as she stepped closer.

     Madam Zhang, catching Zhao Ying’s hint, immediately added, “Let’s go along with what Ah Ying suggests, Uncle Wang. And … if it’s not too much trouble, may I borrow your name to say we received the funds from you? Just to avoid any, uh…” she trailed off, a hint of embarrassment flushing her cheeks.

     Uncle Wang understood instantly. Madam Zhang feared that her husband’s mother, who was known for her greed, would come around to demand the money if she found out that they had funds for renovations and even a well. Knowing this, Uncle Wang nodded in agreement without hesitation.

     “That sounds like a good idea. Go ahead and use my name if anyone asks. They’ll be less likely to bother you. And if anything comes up, just let me know. I’ll stop by again tomorrow.”

     After seeing Uncle Wang off, Zhao Ying called Father Lu and Madam Zhang into their bedroom. Though surprised, they led her in without question. Once the door was securely closed, Zhao Ying pulled three lingzhi mushrooms from her basket. Of course, these had actually come from her mystical dimension, and they were each about the size of her palm. Madam Zhang’s eyes widened at the sight, and although she didn’t recognize the mushrooms, she instinctively knew they must be valuable.

     “What… what are these?” Madam Zhang stammered.

     “These are lingzhi mushrooms,” Zhao Ying explained casually. “I happened to find them near some rocks in the forest. Could you perhaps take them to the Cui Zhu clinic to sell tomorrow?”

     "Lingzhi mushrooms?” Madam Zhang gasped, eyes round with astonishment. “I’ve heard they’re lifesaving medicine, but only the wealthy can afford them!”

     “You’re sure they’re really lingzhi?” Father Lu asked, still uncertain.

     “I’m positive,” Zhao Ying answered confidently. “When I was at the clinic yesterday, I saw some there and asked the caretaker to show me what they looked like.”

     “Oh, Ah Ying, why don’t you take them to sell yourself?” Madam Zhang replied, not daring even to touch the mushrooms. Father Lu agreed.

     “If your mother goes, the clinic might lower the price, or worse, she might give herself away by saying something like, ‘I don’t actually need the full three hundred taels.’”

     Madam Zhang nodded vigorously in agreement. Zhao Ying knew this was true but felt a pang of reluctance when she remembered yesterday’s long journey. Walking back and forth for four or five hours with this body’s heavy legs would be no easy feat.

     Noticing Zhao Ying’s hesitation, Madam Zhang thought back to her conversation with Auntie Wang a few days earlier.

    When Aunt Wang had visited the Lu family, she mentioned hearing that Zhao Ying had walked all the way back from the township, claiming she’d gone to buy medicine for her father-in-law. Madam Zhang had confirmed this to be true, which seemed to please Aunt Wang, who then shared that Zhao Ying had returned drenched in sweat. She also mentioned that people on the ox cart, especially Madam Lan, the wife of Lu Gao, had refused to let Zhao Ying ride with them.

    As Madam Zhang thought back to the exhausted state Zhao Ying had been in when she’d arrived home that evening, it was clear that she had genuinely overexerted herself.

    “Tomorrow, Tang Xian will be taking a trip to the township to buy tiles. You could go along with him, as he’ll have room for you since he won’t be carrying too much back. I’ll ask your father to let him know,” Madam Zhang offered.

    Zhao Ying was overjoyed at Madam Zhang’s suggestion—she truly understood her needs perfectly.

    “Really? That’s wonderful! Tomorrow, I can take the lingzhi mushrooms to sell, and I expect each one might bring in two or three hundred taels. I’ve also gathered some additional herbs. Mother, Father, with this, we’ll no longer need to worry about money, and we’ll even be able to send extra to Gege.”

    She deliberately said this last sentence for the benefit of her in-laws, and just as expected, they were taken aback. The two of them were already shocked by the high value of the lingzhi mushrooms, but the mention of sending money to their son intensified their astonishment.

    To give context, Lu Wenyao had only seven taels for his travel and examination expenses—a modest sum for a trip to the provincial capital. Zhao Ying was well aware of this and knew that, in this era, travel was grueling. Without a cart or the funds to hire transport, travelers had to make the journey on foot, which could take days instead of just a few hours as it might in modern times.

    Her goal was twofold: first, to deepen the trust of her in-laws, and second, to ease any resentment her husband might harbor. Killing two birds with one stone, she thought with a quiet laugh.

    “Really? This is wonderful news… Ah Yao…” Madam Zhang’s eyes filled with tears.

    “Yes, Mother, I’ll truly send the money,” Zhao Ying said reassuringly. “If we sell the lingzhi mushrooms for a good price, I plan to send fifty or sixty taels to Gege (older brother) so he won’t have to worry about food or lodging, and he’ll be able to focus fully on his exams. However, I’m unsure how we’d go about sending the money to him.”

    Father Lu replied, “I’ll consult Elder Xie at the village entrance. His eldest son, Xie Dalang, frequently travels to the county and provincial capital for trade, so he may have a way to contact Ah Yao.”

    Madam Zhang and Zhao Ying both nodded in agreement, satisfied with the plan. Once the arrangements were made, Father Lu left to inform Tang Xian that Zhao Ying would be accompanying him to the township the next day.

    For dinner, the family had a simple meal of thick rice porridge and stir-fried wild greens with some fatty pork Zhao Ying had brought back. Even with just these dishes, Xiao Bao was able to eat half a bowl more than usual. After some light conversation, the family went to bed feeling peaceful and content.

    Since Zhao Ying’s room was under repair, with the roof completely removed, the whole family slept together in the side wing room for the night. This was the only space available where everyone could rest temporarily.

    That night, Zhao Ying didn’t tell a bedtime story to Xiao Bao. Instead, she gently patted his back until he fell asleep. Everything she did was quietly observed by her in-laws, Lu’s parents.